Since 2003, the TLWI has engaged and assisted
the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority (SWA) in a program that tests Turtle Lake’s
water quality at regular intervals throughout the year. In the 2003-04 tests,
Turtle Lake scored 91 out of 100 on the SWA water quality index (WQI), which
tests for a wide range of both mineral and bacterial parameters. The WQI
describes this rating as “Good - water quality is protected with only a minor
degree of threat or impairment, conditions rarely depart from natural or
desirable levels”. The full 2003-04 Turtle Lake Water Quality Report can be
obtained through your board representative. The 2005 Turtle Lake Water Quality
Report score is 95. This rating is in the highest category and is
described as “Excellent – water quality is protected with a virtual absence of
threat or impairment; conditions very close to natural or pristine levels”.

Water Quality Monitoring
is the process of sampling the lake
water at regular intervals through out the year to determine current lake water
conditions. This process can show trends in water quality over time and is
critical in identifying potential
threats to the aquatic ecosystem and provides
information in which to make rational decisions on preventative actions.

Individual parameters are compared to a standard objective, which is the
Saskatchewan Surface Water Quality Objectives. These objectives are based
on the intended use of the water such as: protection of aquatic life,
irrigation, recreation or livestock watering.

The key parameters that are monitored are: Dissolved Oxygen, Total
Phosphorous, Nitrogen, Total Dissolved Solids, Turbidity, Heavy Metals, Algal
Blooms and Fecal Coliforms. Below is a short description of each of these
parameters

Dissolved Oxygen: All aquatic organisms such as fish,
invertebrates, plants and aerobic bacteria require oxygen to live. The
objectives set dissolved oxygen levels at 5mg/L for the protection of fish and
aquatic life. Levels below 3mg/L can be stressful to aquatic life. Levels
below 1mg/L are considered to be anoxic or no oxygen present.

Total Phosphorous: Phosphorous an element that occurs
naturally in the environment is an essential nutrient for plant and animal
growth. It enters water bodies as a result of surface run-off, soil
erosion, decay of organic matter and waste. High phosphorus level can
stimulate algal and weed growth at levels greater than 0.1 mg/L.

Nitrogen: Nitrogen occurs in several forms in water: ammonia,
nitrate, and organically bound. It is an important plant nutrient.
Ammonia nitrogen is used as an indicator of the quality of the water for aquatic
life, however high ammonia concentrations can be toxic to fish. Nitrate
levels are typically less that 1mg/L in healthy surface water systems.

Total Dissolved Solids: Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is a measure
of the amount of dissolved solids in the water. These are solids such as:
bicarbonate, sulphate, chloride, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium.
Concentrations of TDS depend on, the amount of precipitation a water body
receives, The type of earth and rock the waters passes over and human
activities. Turtle Lake TDS levels range between 576 - 750 mg/L.

Turbidity: Turbidity indicates the amount of suspended material
in water such as soil particles, algae, or other microscopic organisms.
High turbidity reduces light penetration, productivity and habitat quality.
Suspended sediment can carry nutrients, metals and pesticides. Turbidity
is measured by placing a Secchi Disk into the water and determining how far it
can be lowered before it is no longer visible.

Heavy Metals: Heavy Metals can be toxic to the aquatic
environment at elevated levels. Some metals such as mercury can
bi-accumulate, creating higher levels of concentration as they move along the
food chain. Heavy metals do occur naturally in the environment and enter
water bodies as the result of surface run-off, soil erosion, or improper waste
disposal. High levels can restrict water use.

Fecal Coliforms: Fecal Coliform counts are used as an indicator
of the sanitary quality of water. These bacteria are found in the
intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals, including humans. A high fecal
coliform count indicates water contamination. For recreational use of a
water body, levels should not exceed an average density of 200 organisms per 100
mL. Fecal Coliforms must be absent
entirely from drinking water so lake water should be boiled or treated before
drinking or using it to prepare food.